China is a fascinating country with rich history, culture, and stunning natural landscapes, and each city has its own unique charm, culture, delicious food, and attractions.

China is more than just Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. There is a lot of variety across the country, with different options for different interests and seasons. Here are some recommended good places for you if you are traveling to China for the first time and are unsure about how to choose your travel destinations.

1. Xi'an

Xi'an is one of China's oldest cities and has many historical sites and museums. It is a fantastic destination for those interested in history, culture, and ancient architecture.

Visitors can visit attractions such as the Terracotta Army, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum and the Ancient City Wall to gain a deeper understanding of China's ancient history and culture.

In addition to being one of the four ancient capitals of China, Xi'an is also a foodie’s heaven. Maybe it is Xian's history of being a Silk Road terminus or the presence of Muslims that the snacks and dishes seem more familiar and appealing to Westerners than those in southern China. Popular snacks include roujiamo ("Chinese hamburgers"), Xi'an grilled meat skewers, lamb pita soup, Muslim fruit cakes, honey cakes, and dried fruits.

Best Time to Visit：

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best times to visit Xi'an for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

2. Chengdu

Chengdu is one of the culturally important cities in southwest China and it is a captivating destination known for its rich history, unique cuisine, and the famous giant pandas. Visitors can visit top attractions such as Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Wuhou Shrine, Du Fu Thatched Cottage, Kuanzhai Alley and Wenshu Monastery.

Outside of Chengdu, you also have access to Jiuzhaigou Valley as well as day trip options to the Leshan Giant Buddha.

Also, Chengdu is the most famous for its unique cuisine. When you go there, you must try the local hot pot, mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, dandan noodles, and street food. They are very delicious.

The best time to visit Chengdu is in spring (March-May), or autumn (September-November).

The weather is mild and ideal for sightseeing. Summer can be humid and warm, while winter is typically foggy but not too cold.

3. Guilin

Guilin, located in Guangxi Province, is a city in southern China. It is one of China’s most scenic destinations, renowned for its dramatic landscape of limestone karst hills, serene rivers and amazing scenery. According to a popular Chinese saying, "Guilin's scenery bests all others in the world."

It's not too far from Guangdong, so Guilin is oftentimes visited along with Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The top attractions of Guilin are the Li River, Elephant Trunk Hill and Yangshuo. For many foreign visitors, Guilin and its scenery perfectly encapsulates the exotic Chinese landscape that they have previously only imagined. 

Besides the limestone peaks and crystal rivers, Guilin's local cuisine is quite special, it is a combination of Cantonese and Hunanese cuisine, you should not miss the top 10 most popular food to eat in Guilin, including rice noodles, braised old duck with ginkgo fruit, Stir-fry Li River Shrimp, Yangshuo beer fish, oil tea, Stuffed Snails... Wild plants and animals, which are rarely eaten in the West, are sometimes found in Guilin Cuisine.

Although Guilin's weather makes it suitable for traveling all year round, the best time to visit Guilin is in spring (March-May), or autumn (September-November). In this period, you will meet the most comfortable weather for touring with warm sunshine and gentle breeze, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery in optimal conditions.

4. Lijiang

Lijiang, located in Yunnan Province, is a beautiful city full of ethnic customs. Lijiang is one of the must-see attractions in China, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its stunning landscapes, rich ethnic culture, and preserved ancient towns. 

Lijiang is known for some of its popular attractions, which include: Lijiang Old Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Lugu Lake, Shuhe Ancient Town and Lijiang Impressions Show.

Generally, Lijiang is always popular with tourists in any month of the year. But the best time to visit Lijiang is in spring (March-May), or autumn (September-November), when you will see a sunny, flowery, and enchanting Lijiang.

5. Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie is located in the northwest of Hunan Province, China, approximately 320 kilometers (km) from Changsha. It is famous for its towering sandstone pillars and spectacular landscapes. Within it is located China’s oldest national park - Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. It is famously known in western countries as 'Avatar Mountains', as the popular movie Avatar's landscapes were inspired by this ACTUAL, REAL place in China.

For those who love nature and wish to seek adventure, Zhangjiajie is a must for your travel itinerary. As the saying goes, “It is best to enjoy water scenery at Jiuzhai Valley, and best to enjoy mountain sightseeing in Zhangjiajie.” 

The best attractions to visit in Zhangjiajie are the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianmen Mountain, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Tianzi Mountain, and Yellow Dragon Cave.

Generally, April to May and September to November is the best time to visit this area. But I recommend you travel there from April to June. It is the rainy season which means there is a higher chance of viewing the sought after 'yun hai' - sea of clouds amongst the mountains.

6. Sanya

Sanya, located on Hainan Island in southern China, is a famous holiday paradise. it is known as the "Hawaii of China"  thanks to its sub-tropical climate and palm trees. It’s a popular destination for beach lovers, honeymooners, and anyone looking to relax in a scenic, sunny paradise. 

The beautiful bays or beaches must be the biggest highlights of this coastal city,  such as Yalong Bay, Sanya Bay, Dadonghai Bay or Haitang Bay, and you may stay there for several days to enjoy sunbathing, strolling on the soft sand, admiring the coastal scenery, etc., immersed in the relaxing atmosphere.

It is suitable to visit Sanya in all months, though the best period is from September to April because the northern part of China has started to get cold during this time, Sanya is pleasantly warm.